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The differences between laboratory technicians and quality control technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory technician, becoming a quality control technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a quality control technician has an average salary of $40,337, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a quality control technician are lab equipment, quality control tests, and test results.
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $40,337 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $19.39 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 98,407 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Laboratory technicians and quality control technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $40,337 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and a quality control technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and quality control technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |